US organisation to promote software asset management in Karnataka

Bangalore, Nov 20 (IANS) The US-based Business Software Alliance (BSA), which promotes a safe and legal digital world, is partnering the state government to promote software asset management (SAM) among small and medium IT and IT-enabled services (ITeS) firms in Karnataka, a official of the trade organisation said Thursday.“The objective of the SAM programme is to ensure Karnataka-based small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in the IT industry practise corporate governance and protect their intellectual property rights (IPRs),” BSA India head Keshav Dhakad told reporters here.

The first-of-its-kind programme in India aims to make Karnataka a model state in the country by promoting organisational productivity and network security through SAM practices in the 1,000-odd IT SMEs in the state.

“This pilot programme is aimed at sensitising the IT industry on managing innovative software as an asset to enhance productivity, increase security and reduce financial and legal risks arising out of piracy,” Dhakad said.

The programme involves educating and training SMEs in using legal software, implementing best management practices and protecting their software products, including applications and solutions under the IPR laws.

“The three-month programme will be launched from December to educate the SMEs on the importance of using licensed software products, following best practices for running business ethically and transparently and safeguarding their proprietary software from being pirated or replicated illegally that causes huge revenue loss,” Dhakad said.

According to a recent BSA study, software piracy on personal computers (PCs) in India reduced marginally to 69 percent in 2007 from 71 percent in 2006, in line with the global trend. Industry losses, however, rose to $2 billion from $1.3 billion in the same period.

Though SAM practice is not mandatory, the state government hopes SMEs will respond to the various e-governance projects being implemented in Karnataka.

The Centre of e-governance is the implementing agency of the state government. BSA, a non-profit organisation, fosters technology innovation through education, awareness and policy initiatives for copyright/IPR protection, cyber security, trade and e-commerce.

Going forward, BSA plans to rollout the SAM programme in e-savvy states such as Andhra Pradesh, Gujarat, Tamil Nadu, Punjab and West Bengal.